Community Calendar

• PRAYER BREAKFAST: The Troy Community Men’s Prayer Breakfast will be at 7:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Community Center, Troy.

• FARMERS MARKET: The Miami County Farmers Market will open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lowe’s parking lot, Troy, with local, plants, vegetables, maple syrup and more.

• TCT PRODUCTION: Troy Civic Theatre’s final production of their 50th season “You Can’t Take It With You,” an award-winning family comedy set in post-depression New York City, was also the very first play produced by the theatre 50 years ago. Come and enjoy the laughs with local actors at the Barn in The Park, with an 8 p.m. curtain time Saturday, and May 13-14 or for a matinee curtain at 2 p.m. Sunday and again May 15. Call 339-7700 for reservations.

• PUNT AND PASS: Troy Football, Lincoln Community Center, and Troy-Miami County Public Library will host a Punt, Pass, and Kick competition at 10 a.m. at Ferguson Field. This free competition includes instruction from Troy varsity football players on proper throwing, kicking and punting mechanics. Participants who pre-register will receive a free T-shirt and giveaways from sponsors. There will be four age groups, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13. Trophies will be awarded for the first three places in each age group. The competition is sponsored by The Troy Foundation.

• SPAGHETTI DINNER: Troy Post No. 43 Baseball will offer an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 3-7 p.m. in the Legion Hall, 622 S. Market St., Troy. The meal also will include salad bar, bread, dessert and drinks. Meals will be $7 for adults and $4 for children 13 and younger.

• TEXAS TENDERLOIN: Young Life will host a Texas tenderloin dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Piqua Baptist Church, 1402 W. High St., Piqua. The meal includes a jumbo Texas tenderloin with baked beans, coleslaw and a drink. The cost is $10 for dine-in or carry-out. All proceeds raised go toward Young Life’s Summer Camp program. For more information, call (937) 287-7458.

• BIRD HIKE: Beginning at 7:30 a.m., join Brukner Nature Center staff as they discover the center’s migrating birds. Free and open to the public with all levels of experience welcome. Nice binoculars available for use. Tuesday morning hikes will start from the Interpretive Building. Saturday morning hikes will depart from River’s Edge Wildlife Preserve on Calumet Road.

• STEAK AND CHICKEN: The Troy Fish & Game will offer steak and chicken beginning at 6 p.m. The band Distance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

• SHARE-A-MEAL: The First United Church of Christ’s Share-A-Meal will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends for food and fellowship, and for ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, dessert and beverages. Share-A-Meal is a program to reach out to the community by providing nourishing meals to anyone wishing to participate while giving an opportunity to socialize with others in the community. The monthly Share-A-Meal Program is on the first Saturday of each month at First United Church of Christ on the corner of South Market and Canal streets, Troy. Use the Canal Street entrance where we the church is handicapped accessible.

• CINCO DE MAYO: The American Legion Post 586, Tipp City, will host a Cinco De Mayo party with karaoke 7 p.m. to close. Wear your best fiesta clothes and bring a covered dish or snack to share.

• RUMMAGE SALE: St. John’s United Church of Christ, 130 S. Walnut St., Troy, will have its semi-annual rummage sale from 9 a.m. to noon. Enter by the side door on Canal Street.

• NATURE CONNECTION: The Miami County Park District will hold its new Nature Connection program from 10 a.m. to noon at Lost Creek Reserve, 2385 E. State Route 41, east of Troy. Participants are invited to relieve stress and increase overall sense of wellbeing by connecting with nature. Relax and unwind into the present moment with nature observation, journaling and meditative techniques. Bring a journal and a pen/pencil. For adults only. Weather permitting. There is a $5 fee for each class due at the time of registration.. Class size limited to 10. Must be registered to attend. Register for the program by sending an email to register@miamicountyparks.com, going to the program calendar at www.MiamiCountyParks.com or calling (937) 335-6273, Ext. 109. Credit card payments are now accepted online at time of registration.

Sunday

• BARBECUE: The Fort Rowdy Gathering will have its annual Mother’s Day chicken barbecue in the Covington Park from 11 a.m. to sold out. No need to get out of your car, we’ll come to your car window. Advance tickets are recommended, as last year’s was a sell-out. The cost is $8. and includes half a chicken, chips, applesauce and a roll. Drinks will be available for purchase. Advance tickets may be purchased at Joanie’s Flower Shop or Siegel’s Country Store, both in Covington, Uniforms Plus in Piqua, or from any Fort Rowdy board member. Advance tickets are valid until 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit the 2016 Fort Rowdy Gathering, to be held Labor Day weekend. For more information, call Larry at 339-0407 or Anita at 676-3381.

• TCT PRODUCTION: Troy Civic Theatre’s final production of their 50th season “You Can’t Take It With You,” an award-winning family comedy set in post-depression New York City, was also the very first play produced by the theatre 50 years ago. Come and enjoy the laughs with local actors at the Barn in The Park, with a matinee curtain at 2 p.m. Sunday and again May 15. Call 339-7700 for reservations.

Monday

• YAPPY HOUR: Bring your four-legged friend from 6-8 p.m. and join others on the patio at Hinders, 902 W. Main St., Tipp City. A $5 donation for each dog will benefit Bark For Life of Miami County. Each dog will receive a “doggie bag” of goodies.

• BAKED POTATO: The American Legion Post 586, Tipp City, will offer a baked potato bar for $3.50, or a salad bar for $3.50 or both for $6 starting at 6 p.m.

• WII FIT & FUN: Everyone from teens to seniors are invited to get moving at the Milton-Union Public Library from 4-5 p.m. Wii Fit offers a guide to easy stretches and exercises for beginners. The game will be projected on the big screen so everyone can follow along.

• SPRING DINNER: The Miami County Democratic Women will hold its annual spring dinner, election and installation of officers at 6:30 p.m. at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center. The theme for the evening’s meeting is “Blue Book: How Much is Your Vote Worth.” Speakers for the evening are Susan Thokey and Annette Stine from the Summer Reading Buddies program at the Troy Rec. Attendees are encouraged to bring small gift items that can be used for prizes for children from first through fifth grade or $10. gift cards to local businesses for thank you gifts for program volunteers. Guests are welcome.

• CRAFTY LISTENERS: The Crafty Listenersgather from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Milton-Union Public Library. The group of women to an audiobook while working on joint and individual craft projects. Both experienced crafters and those wanting to learn are welcome.

• BLOOD DRIVE: The Mid-County Church of Christ in Troy will help kick off the Community Blood Center “Wild About Alaska Adventure for Two” Summer Blood Drive by hosting a blood drive from 3-7 p.m. at 1580 North Dorset Road. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call (800) 388-GIVE.

• OPTIMISTS MEET: The Troy Noon Optimist Club will meet at noon at LaPiazza.

• ALUMNI COMMITTEE: The Newton Alumni Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Newton Media Center. Those interested in joining are invited to attend.

• VISITING NURSE: Stop in for a free blood pressure and/or glucose screening between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Oakes-Beitman Memorial Library in Pleasant Hill; no appointment necessary. The nurse recommends fasting or waiting three hours after eating for the glucose screening. For more information, call the Oakes-Beitman Memorial Library in Pleasant Hill at (937) 676-2731.

• BIRD HIKE: Beginning at 7:30 a.m., join Brukner Nature Center staff as they discover the center’s migrating birds. Free and open to the public with all levels of experience welcome. Nice binoculars available for use. Tuesday morning hikes will start from the Interpretive Building. Saturday morning hikes will depart from River’s Edge Wildlife Preserve on Calumet Road.

• PINTEREST CRAFTING: Get your garden ready for the sweet sounds of a bronze key chime at May’s “Pinterest Craft of the Month” at the Milton-Union Public Library. Sign-up is required at (937) 698-5515, as all supplies are provided. The free craft project runs from 6-7:30 p.m.

• INSPIRATION: The “Just-a-Little Inspiration” book club has chosen a baseball themed book this month that comes with a heavenly twist. A team of “Angels Walking” has been assigned a desperate mission: a broken baseball player, the love he left behind, and the miracle that might save a whole city. Read the book by Karen Kingsbury and join the discussion at 11 a.m.

• TINY TOTS: Tiny Tots meets from 11-11:30 a.m. at the Milton-Union Public Library in West Milton. This is an opportunity for children from birth to 3-years-old and their caretakers to hear developmentally appropriate stories, play games, sing songs, and do other activities with children’s librarian Wendy Heisey.

• BARBERSHOP MEETING: The Miami Shelby Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Greene Street UMC, 415 W. Greene St., Piqua. All men interested in singing are welcome and visitors are always welcome. For more information, call (937) 778 1586 or visit www.melodymenchorus.org.

Civic agendas

• The village of West Milton Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.

Wednesday

• COUPON CLUB: The St. James Coupon Club will meet from 6-8 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 200 W. High St., Piqua. Come, bring a friend, bring your coupons to work on, to share and trade, or just bring yourself if you are just getting started. For questions, call 773-1241.

• SPRING STORY TIME: Join in the fun with Miss Andrea at 1 p.m. at the Oakes-Beitman Memorial Library, Pleasant Hill. Bring your child and enjoy a variety of stories, songs, finger plays, crafts, and more for children ages birth-5 years old. Registration is required at 937-676-2731.

• KIWANIS MEETING: The Piqua Kiwanis Club will meet at noon at The Bistro Room, 1876 Commerce Drive, Piqua. The program will be a comprehensive reading program “Free to Read” at the Bethany Center with Jozan Harmon. For more information, call Brian Phillips at 778-1586 or visit www.freewebs.com/piquakiwanis/.

• BIG SIT: Come join BNC Bird Club members and volunteers from 6a.m. to 6 p.m. as participants sit in a 17-foot circle in the parking lot and tally every bird species seen or heard from that small island. This annual 12-hour fundraising event is held to share the fun and excitement of bird watching with others, to encourage an interest in this lifelong hobby and to raise funds for the BNC wildlife ambassadors. So pledge a $1 or pledge a penny – it all adds up to help BNC feed the birds of prey each year.

• KIWANIS CLUB: The Kiwanis Club of Troy will conduct committee meetings during lunch at noon at the Troy Country Club, with a board meeting to follow.

• SLIDERS: Come in to the American Legion Post 586, Tipp City, for John’s Sliders two for $2 with toppings and chips. Serving starts at 6 p.m.

• COMPUTER Q&A: Local computer expert Bill Coate will offer one-on-one 30-minute sessions at the Milton-Union Public Library to answer questions about personal computers or digital technology from 6:30-8 p.m. Registration is required. Call 937-698-5515 to sign up for a time slot.

• STORY TIME: Pickles is the theme of the Milton-Union Public Library Story Times this week. Children’s librarian Wendy Heisey will hold two sessions, one at 10:30 a.m. and one at 1:30 p.m. Stories, crafts, games and puppet shows are included in the activities for preschool children and their caretakers.

• KNITTERS: Knitters will be knitting for cancer victims from 2-4 p.m. at Lion & Lamb Knit Shop, 6 E. Main St., Troy. This will be the last time to meet until September, but you can drop off your knitted hats and articles at Lion & Lamb and they will be delivered to the cancer units. For more information, call 339-3133.

• DINE TO DONATE: Ten percent of the bill from diners eating at Buffalo Wings and Rings in Piqua from 5-8 p.m. will go to the Piqua High School after graduation party set for June 3. No flier is needed, simply dine-in or carry-out during those hours.

• ALUMNI LUNCH: The Staunton School Alumni will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Frisch’s restaurant in Troy. All graduates and any attendees of the school and friends are welcome. For more informatino, call Shirley at (937) 335-2859.

• BOARD MEETING: The Newton Local Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. in the Newton School Board of Education Room.

• STAUNTON ALUMNI: The Staunton School alumni will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Frisch’s restaurant in Troy.

Thursday

• DEMOCRATIC PARTY: The Miami County Democratic Party will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Troy-Miami County Public Library.

• HAMBURGERS: The American Legion Auxiliary Post 586, Tipp City, will offer hamburgers with toppings and chips for $3 or with french fries for $4. French fries alone will be $1.

• TCT PRODUCTION: Troy Civic Theatre’s final production of their 50th season “You Can’t Take It With You,” an award-winning family comedy set in post-depression New York City, was also the very first play produced by the theatre 50 years ago. Come and enjoy the laughs with local actors at the Barn in The Park, with an 8 p.m. curtain time Friday and Saturday and a matinee curtain at 2 p.m. Sunday. Call 339-7700 for reservations.

• BAKED CHICKEN: The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 586, Tipp City, will prepare baked chicken with two sides, salad and dessert for $8. Serving starts at 6 p.m.

• COMPUTER TUTORING: Retired librarian Valerie McKay will be offering one-on-one basic computer skills tutoring from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Milton-Union Public Library. Sign-up for a slot by calling 937-698-5515.

May 14

• HUG THE EARTH: The Hug the Earth Festival will be held at Stillwater Prairie Reserve, 9750 State Route 185, Covington. The Banana Slug String Band will perform at noon and other actitivies will be from 1-5 p.m. For more information, visit MiamiCountyParks.com.

• JUST US” The Piqua High School Show Choir “The Company” will present its annual “Just Us” concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Hartzell Center for the Performing Arts at Piqua High School. The Show Choir will present the current award-winning show, “Shut Up and Do It!” and numbers from past shows. Tickets will only be available at the door the night of the event and are $8.00 general admission and $5 for students and senior citizens. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show will follow at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call the PHS office at 773-6314.

• PAPER SHREDDING: A paper shredding event will be from 8 a.m. to noon at the Miami County Fairgrounds, 650 N. County Road 25-A, Troy. Free, secure document shredding for residents of the county. There is a maximum of four file boxes that can be shredded.

• BIRD HIKE: Beginning at 7:30 a.m., join Brukner Nature Center staff as they discover the center’s migrating birds. Free and open to the public with all levels of experience welcome. Nice binoculars available for use. Tuesday morning hikes will start from the Interpretive Building. Saturday morning hikes will depart from River’s Edge Wildlife Preserve on Calumet Road.

• CHICKEN AND NOODLES: The Troy Fish & Game will offer chicken and noodles at 6 p.m.

• FREE CONCERT: Award-winning Southern gospel music artist Jason Crabb will be in concert at 7 p.m. at Redemption Christian Tabernacle, 11780 County Road 25-A, 1 mile north of Route 40 in Vandalia. For more information, call (937) 667-0028.

• TEEN ANIME: Milton-Union Public Library has started a new Teen Anime club! Ages 13 to 17 can watch anime, learn how to draw manga, and participate in a cosplay contest. Join the fun from 1-3 p.m.

• HUG THE EARTH: The Miami County Park District will hold its Annual Hug the Earth Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Stillwater Prairie Reserve, 9750 State Route 185 in Covington. At noon the Banana Slug String Band will perform their popular songs like “Dirt Made My Lunch” and “Water Cycle Boogie.” Beginning at 1 p.m., enjoy archery, geocaching, canoeing on the pond, rock pile dig, face painting, gnome-fairy house building, petting zoo, food and more! Don’t miss out on the outdoor adventure activities with the rock-climbing wall, zip line, tree climbing and high ropes course. General admission is free. For more information, visit the park district website at MiamiCountyParks.com.

• BENEFIT AUCTION: Child Care Choices will hold a benefit auction from 6-10 p.m. at the Crystal Room, Troy. WDTN meteorologist Brian Davis will serve as the emcee for the event, which is the main fundraiser for CCC, a nonprofit agency that makes referrals for child care. Live auction items this year will include everything from a fly fishing trip on the Miami River to a chef’s dinner for six at a home in Troy’s historic district. Tickets are $60 per person or $460 for a table of eight and may be purchased by calling 667-1799.

• TCT PRODUCTION: Troy Civic Theatre’s final production of their 50th season “You Can’t Take It With You,” an award-winning family comedy set in post-depression New York City, was also the very first play produced by the theatre 50 years ago. Come and enjoy the laughs with local actors at the Barn in The Park, with an 8 p.m. curtain time Saturday and a matinee curtain at 2 p.m. Sunday. Call 339-7700 for reservations.

• DAR MEETING: The Piqua-Lewis Boyer Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Greene Street United Methodist Church, 415 W. Greene St., Piqua. Members are to use the wooden doors on the Greene Street side to enter. Those needing to use the elevator please use the east entrance on Caldwell Street near the day care entrance. The program is “DAR 101” Know Your DAR. Presenters will show how to use the national website to learn more about our organization and its functions.